NHS Thanks a Million

From cradle to grave, the National Health Service, and the incredible professionals within it who care for us, is a part of British life.

Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care, heedless of own health as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have never needed our doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other carers more.

So let’s show them some love, and create a living map of gratitude from every corner of Britain - visit www.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk to drop a heart on the map wherever you are in the world.

By dropping a heart on the map, you’re saying you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS.

Thanks a million, NHS workers - we love you.

The latest figures for the UK showed that there has been 2,352 deaths across the entire country.

152,979 people have now been tested for the virus, 29,474 of which came back positive and 123,505 negative.

We'll be updating our website every day to cover the good and positive stories from communities across Essex right now. Please remember to visit thanksamillionnhs.co.uk to show the amazing NHS how much we all appreciate their hard work.

Key points

There have been 53 more cases of coronavirus confirmed in Essex.They show that Essex now has 526 positive cases of COVID-19 - compared to the 473 revealed 24 hours previously.

The Royal Family have tweeted to say thank you to members of the military who have been helping to construct a hospital in London.

Essex Police officers have reported being kicked, spat and coughed at while on duty over the weekend.

This year’s Wimbledon tournament has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. An emergency board meeting was held on Wednesday to discuss the fate of this year’s Championships, which was scheduled to begin on June 29.

23:28

NHS told to 'max out' testing

NHS bosses have now been ordered to “max out” testing facilities so hospital staff are tested.

Around 1.2 million people work for NHS England in total.

In a letter to NHS trust chief executives on Wednesday, health officials said that labs should be “fully used” every day.

Spare tests can be given to hospital staff and those working in neighbouring ambulance and acute trusts, the letter adds.

When this has been implemented, and extra lab volumes become available, this will be rolled out to staff in GP services, social care, mental health and community services.

22:47

Plea from a family

The family of a British man who died on board the coronavirus-stricken Zaandam cruise ship have appealed to Donald Trump to allow the ship to dock.

John Carter died on March 22 after falling unwell, and is among four people to have died on the ship.

The Zaandam, which is carrying more than 200 British nationals, is embroiled in a bitter dispute over plans to disembark passengers in the US.

It passed through the Panama Canal on Monday after being denied entry to several ports, and is seeking to dock in Florida later this week.

A statement from Mr Carter’s family said: “As a family we send a plea to Donald Trump and the Florida Authorities to authorise the docking of the MS Zaandam and MS Rotterdam cruise liners in Fort Lauderdale. It is imperative that the passengers and crew receive the urgent assistance that they so desperately need.

“His wife remains on the Zaandam currently. She has been isolated on her own since his death in the cabin that she shared with John. She has only minimal contact with her family as her mobile phone is no longer working. She is struggling to eat the limited meals and is feeling unwell. She is obviously distressed and extremely frightened.

“They were both in good health and did not foresee the terrible situation that has arisen. John became unwell aboard the ship and passed away on the 22nd March 2020. We do not know the cause of his death at present.”

21:32

How to end the pandemic

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, said testing was “how we would unlock the coronavirus puzzle” and “defeat it in the end”.

In a video message on Twitter on Wednesday night, he said: “What we need to do is massively ramp up not just tests, so you can know whether you’ve had the disease in the past – the so-called antibody test – because that will enable you to go to work in the confidence you cannot be infected or infectious.

“Second, people need to know they haven’t got it rather than isolating themselves at home for no reason – that’s very very important above all for our NHS staff.

“It’s crucial people who do have the disease are able to be tested positive and to take the necessary steps to isolate at home in the way that I am doing and many many others are doing.”

He added: “I just want to reassure that although I am sequestered here in No.10 Downing Street I am, thanks to the miracles of modern technology able to be in constant touch with my officials and everybody in various departments across the whole of Whitehall.”

20:46

The Maldon family grieving during COVID-19 lockdown for loss of son killed in motorbike crash

A mum whose 21-year-old son was killed in a motorbike crash has found a unique and powerful way of sharing in her grief during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bradley Pennock was tragically pronounced dead on the morning of Friday, March 13 after crashing his motorbike on Burnham Road in Maldon, Essex.

He had been out riding late the previous night, but his mum, Lisa Whiteley, found his room empty and his door open when she woke up that morning.

Foreign Secretary says Brits shipped home

The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has delivered the good news that some more Brits who were stranded abroad have been shipped back home.

International cooperation during #COVID19 is vital. After close work between , & @TUIUK 46 Britons from Marella Explorer 2 landed in UK tonight after helped 141 Mexicans return home. Spoke to @M_Ebrard to thank him & discuss importance of keeping air routes open

Police issue warning after suspects use COVID-19 "as a weapon"

Essex Police officers have reported being kicked, spat and coughed at while on duty over the weekend.

Click here to read more about the 12-hour period in which Essex Police officers were assaulted.

16:41

Wimbeldon 2020 cancelled

This year’s Wimbledon tournament has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

An emergency board meeting was held on Wednesday to discuss the fate of this year’s Championships, which was scheduled to begin on June 29.

And tennis chiefs have now decided to cancel the 2020 tournament, as they could not justify playing it behind closed doors and a postponement was not “without significant risk and difficulty”.

Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Club told The Mirror: “This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen.

“”It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.

“Our thoughts are with all those who have been and continue to be affected by these unprecedented times.”

16:23

The latest coronavirus supermarket rules

Supermarkets across the UK have been forced to introduce strict rules over the past few weeks to deal with an outbreak of panic buying amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Jack Petchy Foundation helps to keep kids motivated

The @jpfoundation have revamped their Young People's Resources section of their. website to provide support for the current time. Three new sections show young people how to Stay Motivated, Stay Active and Stay Connected with others, whilst they cannot physically meet. pic.twitter.com/Lvpfcdq0w0